---
id: test-serial-driver-installation
title: Test Serial Driver Installation
sidebar_label: Test Serial Driver Installation
sidebar_position: 3
description: Instructions for testing serial driver installation on Linux, macOS, or Windows.
---

import Link from "@docusaurus/Link";
import Tabs from "@theme/Tabs";
import TabItem from "@theme/TabItem";
import { Icon } from "@iconify/react";

### Test Serial Driver Installation

You can verify that you have a proper data cable (rather than a charge-only type cable) and that the appropriate drivers for your system are installed by performing the following test:

<Tabs
  groupId="operating-system"
  defaultValue="windows"
  values={[
    {
      label: (
        <>
          <Icon icon="mdi:tux" height="1.5rem" style={{ marginRight: "0.25rem" }} /> Linux
        </>
      ),
      value: "linux",
    },
    {
      label: (
        <>
          <Icon icon="mdi:apple" height="1.5rem" style={{ marginRight: "0.25rem" }} /> macOS
        </>
      ),
      value: "macos",
    },
    {
      label: (
        <>
          <Icon icon="mdi:microsoft" height="1.5rem" style={{ marginRight: "0.25rem" }} /> Windows
        </>
      ),
      value: "windows",
    },
  ]}>

<TabItem value="linux">

#### Linux

1. Connect your Meshtastic device to your USB port
2. Open a **Terminal** and enter the following command:

   ```shell
   lsusb
   ```

3. You should see something like:

   ```shell
   ID xxxx:xxxx Silicon Labs CP210x UART Bridge
   # or
   ID xxxx:xxxx QinHeng Electronics USB Single Serial
   # or
   ID xxxx:xxxx Adafruit WisCore RAK4631 Board
   ```

</TabItem>
<TabItem value="macos">

#### macOS

1. Navigate to `Apple Menu  > About This Mac > More Info > System Report... > Hardware > USB`.
2. You should see similar to one of the following entries:

- `CP210X USB to UART Bridge Controller`
- `CH9102 USB to UART Bridge Controller`
- `WisCore RAK4631 Board`
- `USB Single Serial`

</TabItem>
<TabItem value="windows">

#### Windows

1. Navigate to `Device Manager > Ports (COM & LPT)`
2. You should see similar to one of the following entries:

- `Silicon Labs CP210X USB to UART Bridge (COM5)`
- `Silicon Labs CH9102 USB to UART Bridge (COM5)`
- `USB-Enhanced-SERIAL CH9102 (COM5)`
- `USB Serial Device (COM5)`

</TabItem>
</Tabs>

:::info

If you are unable to see your device:

- Make sure that your cable is not only for charging but also for [data transfer](/docs/getting-started#verify-data-cable).
- It's possible that you need to [reinstall the USB serial driver](/docs/getting-started/serial-drivers).

:::

## Flash Firmware

After completing the previous steps, you can now flash the Meshtastic firmware onto your device. To proceed, select the appropriate device type for your device.

<div className="indexCtasBody">
  <div className="split-container">
    <div className="split-item">
      <Link
        className={"button button--outline button--lg cta--button"}
        to={"/docs/getting-started/flashing-firmware/esp32/"}
      >
        Flash ESP32 Firmware
      </Link>
    </div>

  <div className="split-item">
      <Link
        className={"button button--outline button--lg cta--button"}
        to={"/docs/getting-started/flashing-firmware/nrf52/"}
      >
        Flash nRF52/RP2040 Firmware
      </Link>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>
